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Former Red outlines the challenges Liverpool will face against Watford this weekend

Former Liverpool striker David Fairclough has recognised the familiar approach Watford will take on Sunday as an away side travelling to Anfield.

Teams have attempted to use similar tactics when making the trip to Merseyside but very few have recently succeeded in unhinging our attacking power.

When discussing his old side’s opposition for this weekend, Fairclough told Liverpoolfc.com: “Liverpool have faced awkward situations this season as most teams have tried to play defensively at Anfield, so we are used to crowded situations on the field.”

“They are one of the few teams to play three at the back, which presents a different proposition, but it shouldn’t be that great a problem for us if we play our game.”

“Watford are a big and strong team and obviously they have the threat of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo up front, but Anfield is a very difficult place to visit these days and it is going to be a tough game for Watford.”

Breaking down packed defences has emerged as a minor concern so far this season, but Jurgen Klopp’s men went some way towards showing they could overcome that with a 2-1 win over an organised West Brom defence.

Teams coming to Anfield won’t fare well by sitting back and letting us have the ball, given the way we are playing.

On the other hand, we have the speed and the quick thinking to punish any team that decides to throw men forward at the expense of leaving spaces open at the back.

The presence of two obvious strikers in Deeney and Ighalo is a conventional setup and one that will give both Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip more work to do as individuals.